Testimonials Increase Business

Are You Using Testimonials to Increase Business?

Are You Using Testimonials to Increase Business?
Everyone knows that word-of-mouth is one of most powerful marketing strategies out there. But, how do you go about making sure that you are reaping the benefits? Consider asking your existing customers for testimonials.

Testimonials can take several forms, from a brief quote that says “We just love what your small business has done for us,” to a full-on letter that sings the praises of your product or service. Asking for testimonials can be a little intimidating at first, so follow these steps to get started.

1. Be the best at what you do. In order to get stellar recommendations, you have to offer great products and services. Make sure that what your customers receive goes above and beyond their expectations, and you’ll find that they will be happy to endorse you. Remember, it’s not just what you sell. Customer service plays a huge role in client satisfaction, so give it your all, and it will pay off in both return business and new prospects.
2. Ask! While you will sometimes receive unsolicited testimonials in the form of positive feedback or thank you notes, this isn’t necessarily the most reliable way to collect comments that you can use. Instead, make a point to ask your customers if they’d be willing to write up a little piece on their experience working with your small business.
3. Make it easy on them. To really get the ball rolling, you can ask clients directly, but you may also want to encourage them to use your websites contact form. In other cases, a nice hand-written message, complete with return postage may be just the ticket to getting a response. Many of our clients use the STORM email system to conveniently collect testimonials and other helpful client data.
4. Get permission. Testimonials are more credible when they can be attributed to a real customer. Make sure that you have your clients permission to use the testimonial, and ask if it is okay to include their full name, location (city and state), and their company name.

You may find that its helpful to give the customer an idea of how to create the testimonial, saying things like, It would be great if you could talk about how XYZ product made a difference in your business, or we'd love for you to talk about how you got great quality at a low price. When you do receive a testimonial, you are not obligated to use it. If it’s poorly written or does not necessarily show your small business in the light you were hoping, it is acceptable to file it for future use while focusing on other testimonials that are more in line with your goals.